Wolves at Thunder GDT

[worldK]

Mo has been shooting lights out in pre season. Bud gets the vet dnp-rest tonight.

I would like to see flip play the lineup he will used in the regular rotation in the last 2 pre season games.

[Monster]

I am box score watching but Bennett didn't look to be that great and Hummel put up some nice numbers. Zgoda tweeted he really likes what he has seen from GR3.

[kekgeek]

I am box score watching but Bennett didn't look to be that great and Hummel put up some nice numbers. Zgoda tweeted he really likes what he has seen from GR3.

Zgoda said that Bennett had a sore knee (great!), Hummel trying to make the squad, will be very interesting on who is the last cut

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

We couldn't see the game, of course, but a couple thoughts based on the box score and Zgoda/Flip comments:

1) Some of us were excited about the physical transformation of Shabazz and AB after their intense training, but now both are hobbled with injuries. Too bad for two guys who really want to prove themselves after forgettable rookie seasons. If their injuries linger, the Wolves may have to question unusual, intense off-season training.

2) Flip experimented with zone a lot yesterday, and maybe that had something to do with the 17 steals. Zone defenses don't seem to be used much in the NBA, and the combination of our athletic roster and a confusing defense could be effective.

3) With Bennett resting in the second half, Hummel got 19 minutes and put up great numbers...13-7-3 on 6 for 9 shooting. He also had a block and took a charge or two. It's just one game, but has to put him in the driver's seat for that 15th spot, especially if Flip thinks he can be effective at PF.

4) Mo Williams continued his impressive pre-season...great addition to the team.

No TV again Tuesday, so I'm considering buying tickets on the street to check them out...gotta weigh that option against game one of the World Series though.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

We couldn't see the game, of course, but a couple thoughts based on the box score and Zgoda/Flip comments:

1) Some of us were excited about the physical transformation of Shabazz and AB after their intense training, but now both are hobbled with injuries. Too bad for two guys who really want to prove themselves after forgettable rookie seasons. If their injuries linger, the Wolves may have to question unusual, intense off-season training.

2) Flip experimented with zone a lot yesterday, and maybe that had something to do with the 17 steals. Zone defenses don't seem to be used much in the NBA, and the combination of our athletic roster and a confusing defense could be effective.

3) With Bennett resting in the second half, Hummel got 19 minutes and put up great numbers...13-7-3 on 6 for 9 shooting. He also had a block and took a charge or two. It's just one game, but has to put him in the driver's seat for that 15th spot, especially if Flip thinks he can be effective at PF.

4) Mo Williams continued his impressive pre-season...great addition to the team.

No TV again Tuesday, so I'm considering buying tickets on the street to check them out...gotta weigh that option against game one of the World Series though.

Good observations LST. It seems clear to me that any hope we have of exceeding 30 wins (much less the 25 I think they will win) is almost entirely dependent on our key vets staying healthy, especially Rubio.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

We like to argue about who should start, who should get the bulk of the minutes, etc. Seemingly every year becomes a battle of attrition. We'll probably only have 9 healthy guys each night who can play so if you're healthy, then you'll get your burn.

I really see no difference between Robbie Hummel and Kevin Love. Seems like Robbie can do everything Love can do after looking at that boxscore. :thumb:

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Also good to see Rubio going 9-10 from the line. I'm sure he's been reading our advice here.

[AbeVigodaLive]

We couldn't see the game, of course, but a couple thoughts based on the box score and Zgoda/Flip comments:

1) Some of us were excited about the physical transformation of Shabazz and AB after their intense training, but now both are hobbled with injuries. Too bad for two guys who really want to prove themselves after forgettable rookie seasons. If their injuries linger, the Wolves may have to question unusual, intense off-season training.

2) Flip experimented with zone a lot yesterday, and maybe that had something to do with the 17 steals. Zone defenses don't seem to be used much in the NBA, and the combination of our athletic roster and a confusing defense could be effective.

3) With Bennett resting in the second half, Hummel got 19 minutes and put up great numbers...13-7-3 on 6 for 9 shooting. He also had a block and took a charge or two. It's just one game, but has to put him in the driver's seat for that 15th spot, especially if Flip thinks he can be effective at PF.

4) Mo Williams continued his impressive pre-season...great addition to the team.

No TV again Tuesday, so I'm considering buying tickets on the street to check them out...gotta weigh that option against game one of the World Series though.

Good observations LST. It seems clear to me that any hope we have of exceeding 30 wins (much less the 25 I think they will win) is almost entirely dependent on our key vets staying healthy, especially Rubio.

I'm ALMOST ready to scale back expectations and hope for fewer than 60 losses as the most realistic goal. The West is absolutely dreadful. The teams are so much better than the Wolves and there are enough of them that every game has some importance.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

We like to argue about who should start, who should get the bulk of the minutes, etc. Seemingly every year becomes a battle of attrition. We'll probably only have 9 healthy guys each night who can play so if you're healthy, then you'll get your burn.

I really see no difference between Robbie Hummel and Kevin Love. Seems like Robbie can do everything Love can do after looking at that boxscore. :thumb:

Excellent point about attrition, Lloyd. If all 15 (16?) Wolves are healthy, rotations become a huge challenge for Flip because the roster is so balanced (no stars, but also no guys who are completely inept). But the reality is that on any given night 3-4 guys will either be out or not unhappy with getting a night off. Rotations will take care of themselves. The good news is that with the balanced roster, we won't have to suffer through any Gelebale's or Amundson's.

Terrible take, though, on seeing no difference between Love and Hummel. Robbie is completely ineffective in calling his teammates out through the media, and by all reports, doesn't regularly do knuckle pushups.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

We like to argue about who should start, who should get the bulk of the minutes, etc. Seemingly every year becomes a battle of attrition. We'll probably only have 9 healthy guys each night who can play so if you're healthy, then you'll get your burn.

I really see no difference between Robbie Hummel and Kevin Love. Seems like Robbie can do everything Love can do after looking at that boxscore. :thumb:

Excellent point about attrition, Lloyd. If all 15 (16?) Wolves are healthy, rotations become a huge challenge for Flip because the roster is so balanced (no stars, but also no guys who are completely inept). But the reality is that on any given night 3-4 guys will either be out or not unhappy with getting a night off. Rotations will take care of themselves. The good news is that with the balanced roster, we won't have to suffer through any Gelebale's or Amundson's.

Terrible take, though, on seeing no difference between Love and Hummel. Robbie is completely ineffective in calling his teammates out through the media, and by all reports, doesn't regularly do knuckle pushups.

Haha right. If he can just get that long outlet pass down to Brewer than we'll be fine.